While I was sitting on the couch, I heard him from the kitchen doing something for us to drink. The dog kept looking at me, watching over me in case I tried to escape. Why was this boy so interested in me?
- Look - he handed me a hot mug - Go ahead. - He sat next to me consuming his liquid staring at me.
- What do you want me to say? I do not know anything. - Said looking at him. He was staring at me deep in my eyes, like he was looking for some trace of a lie. I turned my face and saw a pair of boots and remembered when I was under the ice. - It's your boots? - He looked at them.
- Yes. Do you recognize? - I confirmed it. - So you were conscious. What do you remember?
It looked like an interrogation.
- Almost anything. Shadow, cold, steps, paws - I looked at the dog - feet, a metallic sound. Only this.
- The metallic sound was of my tool piercing the ice, to pull it.
- Pull me? - I asked.
- Sure, you were under the surface. I wonder, how did you get there...remember? - He looked at me again, looking for something false. Bao went up.
- No. I don't remember. It is as if everything I have lived has been erased. - I sighed.
- Do you...do you even know your name? - He asked me, one last try.
- "No." - I said. He relaxed on the couch. Bao, the dog, was the only thing that separated us.
- My name is Nishinoya. - He held out his hand and I faced it. - You're not very sociable, are you?
Bao barked.
- Right "Nishinoya". How did you get here? I mean, it seems like few people live here, right? - He seemed to be thoughtful.
- Technically, only I am here. The truth is, I don't live here, I'm living for reasons of force majeure. - I was interested.
- And what are those reasons? - He smiled mischievously.
- No way! You don't tell me your reasons, why do I have to tell you mine?
- Maybe bacause don't I remember? So, we make a deal. - He looked at me curiously.
- And what would that agreement be?
- The moment I remember, I'll tell you. - He laughed.
- Pfff, and when will this happen? Next time I save you? I was outraged.
- I didn't ask you to save me and you don't have to do it out of obligation. - I turned my face, Bao followed everything closely.
- Are you always thankful like that or only in your spare time? - Asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice, I could feel it.
- And what is your interest in all this? Why do you want to know so much about me? - I went straight. He seemed to have no idea what to say.
- Dunno know.
- Don't you know or don't want to talk?
- What difference does that make? You are alive, that matters. - Did I hurt him?
- Sorry.
- Not for this.
Bao barked again
- Quiet Bao! - We exclaim together. We look at each other and turn our faces away.
- I didn't want to admit it but, I trust you. Your eyes... - I blushed when I tried to say that.
- What about my eyes? - His face expresses interest.
- It gave me confidence, security, familiarity... - I looked at him, I was out of breath, I was extremely embarrassed. He smiled from the corner of his face.
- I was walking with him earlier - He pointed at Bao - Looking for signs.
- Signals? - What did he mean?
- Yes, I mean, better stop, you might think I'm crazy. - Nishinoya said sheepishly.
- No, tell me please. - I tried to sound as interested as possible.
- Okay. - He sighed heavily. - Civilization.
- Civilization?
- Yes. Scientists have long come to Antarctica to investigate signs of past civilizations.
That was a little unusual but it sounded so natural.
- Oh, so you're a scientist!
- Yes, and graduated from HUE... - That name...reminded me of something.
- E.U.H ? - I asked and he laughed.
- No, H.U.E. or Harbin University of Engineering. I was unable to graduate from my home country.
- Exactly! - He looked at me in surprise.
- So you know this place? - I answered negatively.
- No, only the name came into my mind. - He seemed to be discouraged.
- Right...In search of signs I started to hear a muffled sound, I didn't know where it was until Bao continued to sniff and stop exactly where you were immersed. As I couldn't see properly, I leaned my face against the ice and I could see you, fragile, translucent and serene. It looked like an alien thing. - We laugh.
- And got me out of there? - I asked looking more calm for him.
- Yes, I thought you were dead but you started moving. Bao brought me the tool.
- Oh, I remember that! - I was still lucid when he shouted the dog.
- After we have opened a space, we start pulling you. And I brought you to my house. - He smiled without grace.
- You live here? - I asked surprised.
- Yes and no. It's like I told you, I call it home but it works more like a base. Wait, I'm going to light the fireplace, you look cold.
The moment he left we were just me and Bao. I looked at him wishing him the greatest apology in the world and a sincere thanks. The same answered me by placing his head on my leg.
- He liked you. - Nishinoya said when returning.
- Yeah, I think so. - I smiled, startling me with his sudden appearance.
- Better? - He asked and I couldn't help looking at him as a whole. I felt something hot inside me.
- Yes. How long have you been here? - I asked trying to ward off certain thoughts...
- 1 year and 7 months. - My shocked expression made him laugh. - It was shit at first, but then I got used to it. I found Bao here.
- Here? But you said that--. - He interrupted me.
- It was from another scientist. He passed away and I took Bao for myself. - Delicate point.
- I'm so sorry. - He quickly smiled.
- Not for this. Ah, are you going to sleep here or in bed? - I tried to capture some double meaning in your question.
- Do not know. Is there much difference? - He laughed.
- You are really from another world. Come, let's go up. - He headed for a ladder. - Comes.
- Won't you put out the fire? - I asked.
- Do not worry. It is he who heats the house. You can go up. - We went up the stairs that led to a space not so big, but enough to fit a double bed, a closet and a place that should be for changing clothes. Only now did I realize that I was wearing clothes and that they were not mine.
- I'll turn the other way. - I said innocently.
- We are men, boy with no name, don't worry. - I smiled nervously.
He was changing his clothes a few feet away, and I was concentrating on the window in front of me. I wouldn't look at him naked, but just thinking about the idea, I felt a heat that was not physical at all, it was...spiritual. What happened to me? Who I am? Why do I have no history? As I contemplated the starry sky, I felt a touch on my shoulder and woke up frightening.
- Hey, we can rest now. - I looked at him and different from the jacket before, he had a bare chest and pants with some fabric that did not know the name. I blushed.
- Y-y-you g-going to sleep l-like this? - He laughed without understanding.
- What's the problem? Are you stuttering because of the cold? - Nishinoya looked worried. His extremely pale skin reflected the moonlight.
- I'm good. No problem. - I laughed nervously.
- Right then, shall we sleep? - He lay down spreading a part of the blanket and awkwardly I lay down, he beside me and I could only look at the ceiling. I avoided all possible thoughts.
I spied a part of his body that was out of the blanket. He was so handsome, and I really felt something for him, but I wouldn't do anything. I turned to the other side of the bed.
- Hey - He turned to me. I couldn't look at him now.
- Yes?
- Look at me. - Nishinoya said firmly.
- I'm listening. - He approached my ear.
- It's nice to have someone else to talk to besides Bao. - Saying that, he turned to his side and unable to contain myself, I smiled, perhaps the most beautiful smile I have ever given.
After that, I had a little trouble sleeping, but somehow I fell asleep. I looked at the circular window above the bed and wished the morning was a day of light, not only for me but also for my new companions.